MrsK Books: Catch You Later, Traitor by AVI

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Catch You Later, Traitor by AVI

AVI

ISBN: 9781616203597

Publisher Synopsis:

Other than knowing that Communism was bad, that it was the opposite of America, I didn’t really know much else. Now my teacher said I was a Commie because my Dad was one. Dad was always talking up America to us, how great and important it was. Absolutely, he wasn’t a Red. But if he was a Red, did that make me one?

It’s 1951, and twelve-year-old Pete Collison is a regular kid in Brooklyn, New York, who loves Sam Spade detective books and radio crime dramas. But when an FBI agent shows up at Pete’s doorstep accusing his father of being a Communist, he finds himself caught in a real-life mystery. Could there really be Commies in Pete’s family? At the same time, Pete’s classmates turn against him thanks to similar rumors spread by his own teacher; even Kat, Pete’s best friend, feels the pressure to ditch him. As Pete follows the quickly accumulating clues, he begins to wonder if the truth could put his family’s livelihood—even their freedom—at risk.

In the tradition of Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway?, Don’t You Know There’s a War On?, and Nothing But the Truth, Avi’s new novel, Catch You Later, Traitor, tells a funny, insightful story packed with realistic period detail of a boy in mid-20th century America. Its unique look at what it felt like to be an average family caught in the wide net of the Red Scare has powerful relevance to contemporary questions of democracy and individual freedoms.

MrsK's Review:

Historical fiction can be so revealing about who you are vs. who you might think you are. Historical fiction is like looking at yourself in a mirror. There are so many chances to ask your self what you would say or do if faced with the same challenges, situations, personalities, or moral dilemmas that characters in Historical fiction face.

Pete has been verbally badgered by students at school all because his teacher made a slanderous remark about his father to other parents. That in itself is ethically wrong. Yet, those parents have now planted their prejudices and fears into their children, empowering them to become bullies without justification. This novel will not only open your eyes as to how quickly "negative" judgements can take on a life of it's own, it will also serve as a reminder about how we must always be on guard as to not repeating past injustices.

Take a moment to ponder what it was like in America when so many people began accusing family members, neighbors, co-workers, people who served you in everyday business transactions, as well as Hollywood stars and government officials of being communists. What would you do if your best friend betrayed you? How would you feel if your parent was questioned or taken away without any real evidence? We can look back in history and know how that type of "poisonous thinking" destroyed lives in so many countries. And yet, today we should be discussing what history begs us not to forget or repeat.

Meet Pete who loves all aspects of detective reasoning (books, radio programs, real-life news lines). He wants to be a "hard-boiled detective," and he believes "that a detective with nothing to detect is like a fish living in a tree." He isn't a fool who blindly accepts the gossip or behaviors of others. He's not deterred if research means investing some time or effort into tracking down the truth. He lives in a time where respect is expected and knows that to question or accuse an adult would bring shame upon his family. His father teaches American History at an area college. His mother is a guidance counselor in a Brooklyn school. His older brother is into aeronautics. Since they live in Brooklyn...they are Brooklyn Dodgers "true-blue" fans. Pete knows he doesn't have too many options when it comes to the burden of clearing his father's name. Will Kat help him?

Meet Kat, the best friend who is always supportive of Pete. They have been inseparable for what seems like forever. Kat's own mother said, "they were back and forth between apartments so much, it was hard to know who lived where." Imagine what it would be like to find out that your father, teacher, and school mates all believe that your best friend's father is a traitor to America. In your heart you know they can't be. It hurts to hear others bulling your best friend, but you don't know how to help or what will happen if you do. How far would you go to "stand" with your friend?

Meet Mr. Donovan, Pete and Kat's teacher. Is he really on the "hunt" for communists in his community and amongst the parents of his students? What did he mean when he said, "Fortunately, there are people in government, the Congress, the FBI--I have FBI friends--who are ferreting out red traitors, people who pretend to like America but secretly oppose it." Did he really begin the nightmare that is now threatening Pete's family? Does he have any evidence to support his accusations? Or had he made a callous statement that now he can't back out of?

"The way I see it, I stopped being a kid on April 12, 1951."

Avi has crafted a story so intense and so bountifully rich for our children and students to feel and discuss. This novel is one that needs to be shared. As with Number the Stars, The Red Scarf Girl, Behind the Bedroom Wall and countless of others, this is a story that will ignite great discussions. It will provide introspective "what if" scenarios, and it will inspire an audience to think through their reactions or involvement if "bullying" is occurring.

Give your self the opportunity to learn from history,
MrsK

A must read and share for grades 5-8!

Meet the Author:

Avi was born December 23, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York. Avi wasn’t considered the genius of the family because he was born with Dysgraphia causing him to repeatedly misspell words. Instead his brother was considered the genius, he wasn’t really. At first Avi didn’t think about writing as a job instead he wanted to design planes. But when he flunked out of a science high school, he instead attempted at writing. He finds that writing is his god given talent and with the help of a writing tutor he focuses on becoming a writer. Even though he struggled with his Dysgraphia he achieved his goal of becoming a writer.

"I believe reading is the key to writing. The more you read, the better your writing can be.

Listen and watch the world around you.

Try to understand why things happen.

Don't be satisfied with answers others give you. Don't assume that because everyone believes a thing it is right or wrong.

Reason things out for yourself. Work to get answers on your own. Understand why you believe things.

Finally, write what you honestly feel, then learn from the criticism that will always come your way."

"I received this ebook for free from Net Galley for this review."

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)